History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 136

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 136

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would not leave his society ; his parish would not let him go. In the noon of his manhood they gave him to the messenger from whose call there is no appeal. As a scholar, thinker, writer, speaker, pastor, he ranked high in his profession.

It was during Mr. Putnam's pastorate that, in 1858, it was decided that the " new church " was no longer new,-in fact so old that another building was de- manded. There was not, at first at least, a unani- mons concurrence in this opinion, but after several meetings it was decided to build nearer the Plains, which had by this time usurped the former distinc- tion of New Mills as being the principal village of the town. - A building committee was chosen, con- sisting of Joshua Silvester, J. W. Ropes, W. J. C. Kenney, George Porter and Moses Black, Jr. A lot of land was purchased of Eben G. Berry, and the present house was erected under a contract with Jo- siah Ross for four thousand three hundred and thirty- seven dollars. The church was completed in July, 1859, and was dedicated August 18th. From many of the surrounding heights and from many of the ap- proaches to the town, the twin Gothic towers of the Universalist Church present one of the most promi- nent and picturesque views of a landscape beautiful in many respects. It is one of the many monuments of Joshua Silvester. The society formally tendered him their thanks " for the energy and assiduity with which he has labored in this work,-to him more than any one else, perhaps more than all else com- bined, do we owe the valuable suggestions and services resulting in this beautiful edifice."

The basement of the church was soon fitted up as Gothic Hall, and until the day of the Peabody Institute was the best hall in town and much used for lectures, entertainments, and for the graduating exercises of the High School.

The society bid farewell to the old meeting-house, July 31, 1859, which was then sold at auction for twenty-five hundred dollars, and soon was converted to the use of the new Catholic Church, in whose hands, much enlarged and remodeled, it still remains.

The vacancy in the pastorate caused by the death of Mr. Putnam was filled by Rev. H. C. Delong, of Binghamton, N. Y., who served from 1865 three years, and was succeeded by Rev. G. J. Sanger, who, as faithful pastor and eloquent preacher for six years and business man for several more, was one of our best known and worthiest citizens, upon whom his fellow-citizens bestowed political honors with a generous hand. A few years ago he decided to return to the ministry, and accepted a call to Essex. Rev. Henry P. Forbes was installed November 22, 1875,- a man of scholarly tastes and fine literary ability, a pastor much loved and respected, and a citizen espe- cially useful on the school committee. He resigned after five years to accept a professorship in the St. Lawrence University, Canton, N. Y. Rev. F. A.

470

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

of 1881, and remained until February, 1885, when he in turn was succeeded by Rev. Winfield S. Williams, whose pastorate extended from June, 1885, to Octo- ber, 1886. The church is at present (June, 1887) without a settled pastor. (July 5th, a call was ex- tended to Rev. C. B. Lynn, of Boston, accepted.)

In the old days of the Putnamville school-house, it is said that Abijah Richardson sustained the burden of worship in song, singing four parts at once. A permanent choir was organized after the society built a church of their own, of which William Black was chorister. For twenty years he did not miss the preaching service, and to his own and his brother Moses' family the society were continually indebted for important musical services. Among the earlier singers were Henry and Augustus Fowler, Philip Smith, W. J. C. Kenney, Moses Black, Jr., Mrs. Benjamin Os- good, Mrs. Sawyer and Louisa Hines. Later, Mrs. S. E. Howe led the soprano for twenty years. The organ was purchased some time in the forties, over which Miss Hattie Black first presided. Before that, was the customary church orchestra, in which Mr. H. Dwinell played the violin; Aaron Putnam, viol ; J. Sawyer, clarionet ; assisted sometimes by W. J. Kenney and M. Black, Jr., on the clarionet and viol.

The Sunday-school was organized in 1830. Among the earlier superintendents were I. W. Andrews, Aaron Eveleth, Henry Fowler, Edwin F. Putnam and Moses Black, Jr. In 1840 there were eighty- eight members, including nineteen teachers. Among the later superintendents were John Hines, William E. Putnam, William Rankin, Andrew W. Trask, Edward Tyler, John H. Elliott, Ezra D. Hines, Rev. George J. Sanger, and, at present, Howard R. Bur- rington. The school now numbers about one hun- dred and fifty. In December, 1880, a successful ef- fort was made to raise a debt of two thousand five hundred dollars against the society, and the event was celebrated by a supper early in Jannary.

Maple Street Church .- On the 15th day of March, 1844, Nathaniel Silvester, Moses J. Currier, Henry T. Ropes, Benjamin Henderson, Aaron Bateman, Gus- tavus Putnam, represented to George Osgood, a jus- tice of the peace, that they were about to form them- selves into a religions society for the worship of Almighty God, and requested him to issue a warrant for the calling of a meeting to be holden at the school-honse on Danvers Plains on Monday evening, March 25th, to organize such a society under the name of the Third Orthodox Congregational Society of Danvers. Dr. Osgood issued his warrant accord- ingly to Nathaniel Sylvester to warn a meeting ac- cording to the terms of the petition. At this meeting Henry T. Ropes was chosen the first clerk of the society ; Winthrop Andrews was chosen moderator; Moses J. Currier collector; Benjamin Turner, Samuel Brown, Nathaniel Silvester were the first parish com- mittee ; George Osgood, Henry T. Ropes, and Benja-

min Turner were appointed committee on by-laws ; Nathaniel Silvester, Samuel Brown, and Henry T. Ropes, to take into consideration a more suitable place of worship; M. J. Currier, W. Andrews and John A. Learoyd, to solicit subscriptions for preaching.

At the adjournment of this first meeting, by-laws were presented and accepted; the house committee reported in favor of a subscription in shares of one hundred dollars cach, the cost not to exceed four thousand dollars ; the same committee were instructed to see what land could be obtained in several parts of the plains ; Rev. Mr. Thayer was employed to preach for six months at seven dollars per day ; Watts' Se- lect Hymn Book was adopted; John A. Learoyd was " authorized to procure a Bass Vial." At a fur- ther adjournment a building committee of eight were chosen, as follows : Samuel Putnam, John A. Lea- royd, Henry T. Ropes, Benjamin Turner, Joseph Adams, Samuel Brown, Daniel Richards, Samuel P. Fowler.

April 29th it was decided to purchase the lot of land offered by Ezra Batchelder, "8 Rood front by 11} Roods deep, for $800." The committee was instructed to build a basement story of rough granite of suitable dimensions for a hall. The mater- ial subsequently suggested the name, Granite Hall. Rev. Loren Thayer was employed "to supply the desk until the meeting-house is completed." Benja- min Turner, Gustavus Putnam and Moses J. Currier took into consideration the expediency of organizing a choir of singers. Daniel Richards and Mr. Currier were instructed to purchase a bell not to exceed twelve hundred pounds. The new house was dedi- cated Wednesday, January 22, 1845, Mr. Thayer preaching the dedication sermon. This year fifty dollars was paid Parker B. Francis for singiug, and seventeen dollars was " paid Mr. Stanley for a flute ;" later the society purchased "the Bass Vial of J. A. Learoyd" for $30.75. Moses Putnam was thanked for the handsome sofa and chairs he had furnished the society, as were also the ladies for carpeting the house. The first person called to settle as minister was Rev. F. A. Barton, of Chicopee Falls, who de- clined on account of ill health. Rev. Richard Tol- man, of Dorchester, accepted a call, and was ordained September 17, 1845, the first pastor of the new church and society,-salary, six hundred dollars for the first year, afterwards seven hundred dollars. The ordina- tion sermon was preached by Rev. E. N. Kirk. Mr. Tolman remained until November, 1848. On April 3, 1849, this letter was sent to Rev. James Fletcher, of Acton, then at Andover Theological Seminary :

" DEAR SIR: We, the undersigned, as a committee in behalf of the Third Cong. Church and Society in Danvers hereby extend to you an invitation to become our pastor and teacher. The salary which the se- ciety offer yen is eix hundred dollars.

SAML. P. FOWLER, } Com. of BENJ. TURNER, Church. FRED'K How, 1 Com. of

MI. W. PUTNAM,

" the Society."

471

DANVERS.

Mr. Fletcher accepted and was ordained June 20, 1849, to a pastorship which lasted nearly fifteen years.

The expense of the new church was about eight thousand dollars, for more than half of which sum indebtedness had been incurred. Strenuous efforts were made to liquidate this debt, and, February 1, 1847, eighteen men entered into a written obligation to contribute, by way of loan or advancement, in four annual payments a total of four thousand two hundred and eighty dollars ; of this sum Moses Put- nam subscribed eighteen hundred dollars, his brother Samuel five hundred and twenty dollars, Nathan Tapley and Jesse Putnam each three hundred dollars. The other names which appear in autograph in the records are Elbridge Trask, Joseph S. Black, Moses W. Putnam, Samuel P. Fowler, Frederick How, F. Howes, Eben G. Berry, Richard Tolman, Daniel Rich- ards, Stephen Granville, Rebeckah Perry, James M. Perry, John A. Learoyd, Nathaniel Silvester. In May, 1850, but seven hundred dollars of the debt remained, and " whereas Moses Putnam, Esquire, has generously offered to pay the sum of $250," measures were taken to meet the balance. Upon the very next leaf to that which records this happy state of things appears this memorandum of Deacon Fowler's :

" BURNING OF THE MEETING-HOUSE.

"On the night of July 10th, 1850, the meeting-house of the Third Cong. Society was destroyed by fire. It broke out in the entry of the Hall about 11 o'clock, and was the work of an incendiary. It was in- sured at two mutual offices in Salem for the sum of $6,000.

" The house was completely destroyed, but the walls of the basement story were left standing, and by many persons supposed to he not much injured. The sheds and fences around the house are hut little injured, in consequence of there being but little wind at the time of the fire. The House, with its furniture, Church plate, and Sabbath-school library, was consumed.

"The Selectmen of the Town have offered a reward of 500 dollars fer the detection of the sacrilegious villian who burnt our beautiful House and laid waste our pleasant things. The Sahbath eveniog after the fire, Wm. Duffee, a young man living on the Plains, was, on the complaint of Gee. Perkins. arrested and lodged in Saleur jail, being accused of setting fire to the Meeting-House. He was carried before justice Rantoul, of Beverly, aud, pleading guilty of the charge, he was sent to the Salem jail to await his trial, Perkins being also sent with him as a witness. Both effected their escape in November following. Duffee was retaken, couvicted and sentenced to the State Prison for life. Perkins who was suspected as an accomplice with Duffee in the hurning of the house, some weeks after returned to Danvers, gave himself up, was carried back to jail, and, no one appearing against him, at the the term of court follow- ing he was discharged.

" On Sunday, July 14th. public worship was held by the Society at the Free Chapel, on the Plains, where an appropriate and interesting dis- course was delivered by our pastor. The text was from the 14th chap- ter of Exodus, 15th verse, " And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unte me ? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go for- ward."

" In this discourse our Pastor, in a forceable manner, enjoined upon us the importance of immediately going forward in the work of rebuild- ing our Meeting-House."

The very next day the standing committee issued their warrant for a meeting to consider rebuilding. It was voted " that we proceed immediately to rebuild our meeting-house-the vote passed unanimously." The offer of the use of the Free Chapel was accepted.

The new building committec were S. P. Fowler, Na- than Tapley, Daniel Richards, Alfred Fellows, J. S. Black, Elbridge Trask, J. C. Butler, Nathaniel Sil- vester and Stephen Granville. They went to work with six thousand dollars insurance and trusted to raise the balance. The contract was originally given to Boston parties for six thousand eight hundred and seventy-five dollars, but they failed to meet their en- gagements-" the winter came upon us with its snow and rains with the building completely exposed." The contractors were paid two thousand eight hun- dred and fifty dollars to leave the job, and Abel Preston's proposal to finish the building for four thousand dollars was accepted. On Sunday, March 9, 1851, services were first held in the new Granite Hall, and the church itself was ready for dedication September 17, 1851. The total cost of the new or present church was $8485.66; the new bell cost two hundred and thirteen dollars. The present organ was purchased by subscription, as was also the clock in the tower, and at a meeting of the subscribers to both, August 15, 1854, both were " unconditionally present- ed " to the society. About the same time certain pews were set apart to be sold for the benefit of the eigh- teen subscribers who assumed the debt of the old church, they suffering a loss of twenty-five per cent. of their subscriptions-the proportional loss of pew- holders over insurance. The new bell was not up to the standard of orthodoxy, and cracked; the present bell dates from 1856.

Moses Putnam, foremost of the friends and sup- porters of the church and society, a few months be- fore he died, which was September 10, 1860, in his eighty-fifth year, gave up several notes amounting to fourteen hundred dollars, which he held against the society. A communication was sent to him expres- sive of the heart-felt gratitude of the society for this and former generous donations.

Rev. Mr. Fletcher tendered, May 21, 1864, a letter of resignation.

A call was extended, February 1, 1866, to Rev. Wil- liam Caruthers, of North Cambridge, who accepted, and was installed April 18th. This call was not nearly nnanimous, and after a little more than two years Mr. Caruthers tendered his resignation, to take effect July 31, 1868. On the 22d of February, 1869, by a large and unanimous vote, Rev. James Brand, then a student at Andover, was invited to become pastor, and he was ordained October 6, 1869. Shortly after, December 5th, the church celebrated its twenty- fifth anniversary. In the spring of 1872 the subject of making extensive and radical changes in the house was first brought up, and continned to he talked about and voted upon for two years, when it was finally de- cided to take the work in hand. Andrew M. Putnam, Winthrop Andrews, Charles H. Gould, John S. Lea- royd and Daniel Richards were the supervising com- mittee. An addition was built on the rear of the church, the interior was entirely remodeled, the old

472

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

galleries were abolished, the organ and choir-loft moved behind the pulpit, modern black-walnut pews were substituted for the old ones, which are now oc- casionally seen adorning gardens and back piazzas. With the change in the building came also a change in the organization of the society. It was proposed to abandon the system of individual pew-ownership for a system of annual rental. By act of the Legis- lature the existing corporation was dissolved March 24, 1874, and a new society was immediately organ- ized under the general statutes, the first meeting of which was held the next day. Under the by-laws of the new society all property was vested in a board of five trustees, three at least to be members of the church. Membership was open to any person renting a sitting and receiving a majority vote at any regular meeting. There have been but three elections of trustees, ---

1871.

Chester H. Gould.

Edward A. Lord.

John S. Learoyd.

Moses J. Currier.

Jobn S. Learoyd.

Juhu A. Putnam.

1879.

G. W. Fiske.

George W. Fiske.

John A. Putnam.

John A. Putnam. J. S. Learoyd.

Before these changes, however, Mr. Brand resigned his pastorate, to take effect November 1, 1873. He went to Oberlin, Ohio, " to accept a place where my usefulness in the ministry, if I have any, can be more than doubled." He went " with the kindest words to say and the pleasantest memories to carry," and left with his parishioners an abiding love and respect to- wards himself. He has not failed by reason of " the greatness of the field and the urgency of the call." After nearly two years Rev. Walter E. C. Wright ac- cepted the invitation to fill the vacancy, and was in- stalled October 12, 1875, his brother, Rev. G. F. Wright, of Andover, and Rev. James Fletcher, a for- mer pastor, taking part in the exercises. During his pastorate of seven years he not only endeared himself to his own people, but won and merited the greatest respect of his fellow-citizens by the many manifesta- tions of his active public spirit. Upon him fell most of the responsibility of the re-arrangement and new catalogue of the Peabody Library, a work which will remain a substantial monument to his mem- ory. He was also largely instrumental in lifting from the church a heavy load of debt. He was an able debater, and the occasion in Gothic Hall when he stood alone against an array of advo- cates of woman-suffrage will long be remembered. His letter of resignation dated August 12, 1882, contains this: "The experience of the past few months has indicated the importance, for the health of my wife and perhaps my own, of a change of resi- «lence to a milder climate." An urgent call to take up a congenial and important religious and educa- tional work at Berea College, Kentucky, was there-

fore accepted, and his resignation was tendered, to take effect the last of September, 1882. Rev. Edward P. Ewing, formerly of Enfield, Mass, his successor and the present pastor, was installed November 1, 1883.

The first deacons of the church were Frederick llowe and Samuel P. Fowler; subsequently elected : John S. Learoyd, Samuel P. Trask, Eben Peabody. Messrs. Fowler, Learoyd and Peabody survive in office. The membership of the church at its organi- zation was 42; at present, 1887, 305; total member- ship since organization, 537.

The moderator of the first meeting of the society, 1844, was Winthrop Andrews. Moderators of subse- quent annual meetings have been as follows :- Samuel P. Fowler, 1845, '47, '48, '49; Nathan Tapley, '46, '51, '53, '54, '59, '60; Joseph S. Black, '50, '58; Dr. D. A. {Grosvenor, '52; William L. Weston, '55, '56, '57, '61, '68, '74; Rufus Putnam, '62, '63, '64, '65, '67 ; John A. l'utnam, '66, '75, '76, '77; John S. Learoyd, '69; John R. Langley, '70, '72, '73; Moses J. Currier, 71; Sam- uel L. Sawyer, '78, '81 ; George W. Fiske, '79, '80, '83, '84, '85, '86, 'S7.

Until 1882, the offices of treasurer and collector were considered as one, and the persons holding the office were as follows :- Moses J. Currier, 1844; Moses W. Putnam, '45-'47, '51; Elbridge Trask, '48; John C. Butler, '49, '50; James M. Perry, '52-'70, eighteen consecutive years ; John A. Putnam, '71-'81. In 1882 the offices were divided. Webster F. Putnam was elected treasurer, and served two years; George W. l'iske, '84, '85; Charles H. Gould, '86, '87. Winthrop Andrews has held the office of collector from 1882 to the present, 1887.

Henry T. Ropes was the first clerk of the society and served for three years. Joseph S. Black succeed- ed him and served three years. Deacon Samnel P. Fowler began to keep the records in 1850 and has en- tered on the thirty-seventh year of his service. Dur- ing the whole period since the organization of the so- ciety, the records have been kept admirably.

The list of standing committees is as follows :

STANDING COMMITTEES.

1844.

Benj. Turner.

Saml. Brown.

Nathl. Silvester.

1845.

Saml. Putnam.

Sami. P. Fowler,

Moses J. Currier. Samnel P. Fowler.

Henry T. Ropes. Nathl. Silvester.

1$49. S. P. Fowler. Joseph S. Black.

1846. Nathan Tapley.

Jesse Putnam.

NathI. Silvester.

Henry T. Ropes, Benj. Turner.

Samuel Putnam, 1850.

1847.

Nathau Tapley. Jesse Putnam. Moses J. Currier.

Joseph S. Black. Daniel Richards.

IS4S. Nathan Tapley. Joseph S. Black. Daniel Richards,

Moses J. Currier.

Francis P. Putnam.

Saml. P. Fowler.

Joseph S. Black. Moses J. Currier.

Frederic How.

Nathan Tapley.

Moses J. Currier. Charles H. Goukl.

1855. C. H. Gould.

Samuel L. Sawyer.

473

DANVERS.

1851. Nathan Tapley. S. P. Fowler. Moses J. Currier. Joseph S. Black. Daniel Richards.

1952.

Nathan Tapley. Jos. S. Black. Frederick Perley. Francis P. Putnam. Alfred Fellows.

1853.|

N. Tapley. F. P. Putnam. S. P. Fowler. Alfred Fellows.

M. J. Currier.

1854.

Nathan Tapley. M. J. Currier. F. P. Putuam. W'm. L. Weston. Allen Knights.

1855.

Nathan Tepley.

M. J. Currier.

Allen Knights.

W. L. Weston. D. A. Grosvenor.

1856.

Nathan Tapley.

F. P. Putnam.

Allen Knight.

M. J. Currier.

W. L. Weston.

1857.

Nathan Tapley. Moses J. Currier. F. P. Putnam. W. L. Weston. Allen Knight.

185S.

Nathan Tapley. M. J. Currier. W. L. Weston. F. P. Putnam. Joseph S. Black.

1859.

John A. Learoyd.

Jos. S. Black. M. J. Currier.

W. L. Weston. F. P. Putnam.

1S60.

Nathan Tapley.

W. L. Weston.

M. J. Currier.

F. P. Putnam.

J. S. Black.

1$61.

Nathan Tapley.

W. L. Weston.

M. J. Currier.

John O. Butler.

F. P. Putnam. 1862.

Nathan Tapley. Rufus Putnam.

M. J. Currier.

F. P. Putnam.

J. C. Butler.

1863. Rufus Putnam.

30}

Nathan Tapley. F. P. Putnam. J. C. Butler. M. J. Currier.

IS64.

Nathan Tapley. Rufus Putnam.

J. C. Butler.

M. J. Currier.

John R. Langley.

1865.

Rufus Putnam.

Nathan Tapley.

J. M. Perry.

Nathaniel Hills.

M. J. Currier. 1866.

Nathan Tapley.

Rufus Putuat.

M. J. Currier.

J. M. Perry.

J. R. Langley.

1867.

J. R. Langley.

Rufus Putnam.

John S. Learoyd.

M. J. Currier.

Daniel Richards.

186S.

Daniel Richards. J. S. Learoyd. Rufue Putnam.

1869.

J. S. Learoyd.

Robert S. Perkins.

M. J. Currier.

J. A. Putnam.

J. M. Perry.

1870.

Nathan Tapley.

J. M. Perry.

R. S. Perkins.

Charles H. Gould.

M. J. Currier.

1871. Nathan Tapley.

R. S. Perkins.

M. J. Currier.

C. H. Gould.

J. R. Langley.

1572.

J. S. Learoyd.

R. S. Perkins.

M. J. Currier.

C. H. Gould.

J. R. Langley.

1874.

J. S. Learoyd.

George W. Fiske.

Winthrop Andrewe.

M. J. Currier.

E. Warren Eaton. 1875. John S. Leeroyd.

M. J. Currier.

G. W. Fieke.

E. W. Eaton.

Winthrop Andrewe. 1876.

Winthrop Andrews.

Addison P. Learoyd. M. J. Currier. Samuel P. Trask.

Beverly S. Moulton.

1877. Winthrop Audrews.

B. S. Moulton.

S. P. Trask. A. P. Learoyd. Samuel L. Sawyer.

1$78.

Winthrop Andrews.

R. S. Moulton.

S. L. Sawyer.

A. P. Learoyd. Edward A. Lord. 1879.

Winthrop Andrews.

B. S. Moulton.

A. P. Learoyd.

Amoe A. White.

S. L. Sawyer. ISSO.

Winthrop Andrewe.

A. P. Learoyd.

A. A. White.

S. L. Sawyer.

B. S. Moulton. ISS1.

Winthrop Andrews.

A. P. Learoyd.

J. Frank Porter.

S. L. Sawyer.

B. S. Moulton. ISS2. A. P. Learoyd.

J. F. Porter.

S. L. Sawyer. Eben Peabody. Webster F. Putnam.

ISS3. S. L. Sawyer.

J. F. Porter. W. F. Putnam.

Alden P. White.

Eben Peabody. 1884.

J. F. Porter. Eben Peabody. W. F. Putnam.

Wallace F. Perry.

A. P. White. IS$5.

Leroy L. Abbott.

W. F. Putnam.

A. P. Wbite.

W. P. Perry.

Eben Peabody. 18$6. W. P. Perry.

W. F. Putnam.

A. P. White.

Abram S. Beal.

Dr. E. A. Kemp. 1887. A. P. White.

W. P. Perry.

E. A. Kemp.

A. S. Beel. Herbert M. Bradstreet.

The Sunday-school iu connection with the Maple Street Church was organized December 4, 1844. It then consisted of one hundred and fourteen members and twelve teachers. The first superintendent was Francis P. Putnam. Succeeding superintendents have been Moses W. Putnam, Joseph S. Black, Nathaniel Hills and John S. Learoyd.

By far the lougest term of office is that of the pre- sent superintendent, Mr. Learoyd, who is now in his twenty-second year of consecutive service. There are at present connected with the school, four hundred and thirty-six members, forty-two teachers, two hun- dred and seventy-eight scholars in main school, ninety- one primary, aud twenty-five in the pastor's Bible- class. The average attendance is three hundred and six. Yearly collection for 1886, three hundred and forty dollars. Number of library books, eight hun- dred and sixty-five.

CATHOLIC .- Before 1850 there were very few na- tives of Ireland residing in Danvers. Between 1850 and 1855, or even later, they came here in consider- able numbers and made homes for themselves. The first man of Irish birth to settle here, about 1840, was the late Daniel Crowley, whose children are an honor to his name. Another early settler was Edward McKeigue. It was in the latter's house, November 1, 1854, that the first Catholic service was held in Dan- vers. Rev. Thomas H. Shahan, then of the Church of Immaculate Conception in Salem, officiated. Af- terwards regular services began to be held in Frank- lin Hall, and then a chapel was erected south of the High Street Cemetery. When the Universalists gave

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 136

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1538

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538